Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.16
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
नासतो विद्यते भावो नाभावो विद्यते सतः । उभयोरपि दृष्टोऽन्तस्त्वनयोस्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः ॥१६॥
nāsato vidyate bhāvo nābhāvo vidyate sataḥ | ubhayorapi dṛṣṭo'ntastvanayostattvadarśibhiḥ ||16||
Complete Shloka Translation
The unreal has no enduring being, and the real never ceases to be. Those who see truth have discerned the nature of both.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| सतः | sataḥ | of the real |
| तत्त्वदर्शिभिः | tattvadarśibhiḥ | by seers of truth |
| नासतो | nāsato | [term] in context of The unreal has no enduring bei... |
| विद्यते | vidyate | [term] in context of The unreal has no enduring bei... |
| भावो | bhāvo | [term] in context of The unreal has no enduring bei... |
| नाभावो | nābhāvo | [term] in context of The unreal has no enduring bei... |
| उभयोरपि | ubhayorapi | [term] in context of The unreal has no enduring bei... |
| दृष्टोऽन्तस्त्वनयोस्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः | dṛṣṭo'ntastvanayostattvadarśibhiḥ | [term] in context of The unreal has no enduring bei... |
| १६ | dṛṣṭo'ntastvanayostattvadarśibhiḥ | [term] in context of The unreal has no enduring bei... |
of the real
by seers of truth
[term] in context of The unreal has no enduring bei...
[term] in context of The unreal has no enduring bei...
[term] in context of The unreal has no enduring bei...
[term] in context of The unreal has no enduring bei...
[term] in context of The unreal has no enduring bei...
[term] in context of The unreal has no enduring bei...
[term] in context of The unreal has no enduring bei...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Sat and asat have philosophical meanings beyond everyday true and false. Here the contrast develops the argument about the enduring self and transient embodiment.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Discernment asks what truly endures amid appearances that change."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What do you regard as enduring, and on what basis?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse when facing identity crisis or fear of failure: distinguish the unchanging inner self from transient life situations, and act with full dedication without anxiety over the final outcome.